Commercial Fitout Costs in Australia, Explained
As an indicative guide for 2026, a standard commercial fitout in Australia costs from $1,000 to $1,400 per square metre. A premium fitout starts from $1,400 per square metre. Where you land depends on the condition of the base building, the scope of work and the selections you choose.
The Quick Answer
Commercial fitout pricing is usually measured per square metre. Use these indicative ranges to size up your project, then refine the number with a proper scope.
- Standard fitout: $1,000 to $1,400 per square metre
- Premium fitout: from $1,400 per square metre
These are indicative ranges to guide early planning, not a quote. Your final price depends on scope, base-build condition, services and selections. For a firm number, Concept provides a 48-Hour Budget.
How Much Does an Office Fitout Cost per Square Metre?
Most commercial fitouts are priced per square metre because it lets you scale the cost to your floor area. For 2026, a standard workplace fitout sits between $1,000 and $1,400 per square metre. This covers a well-designed, functional space with quality finishes, meeting rooms, a kitchen and the services to support them.
A premium fitout starts from $1,400 per square metre and moves up from there. The rate reflects the level of finish, the amount of bespoke joinery, upgraded services and the detailing that lifts a space from functional to considered.
What’s the Difference Between a Standard and a Premium Fitout?
| Element | Standard ($1,000 to $1,400 / sqm) | Premium (from $1,400 / sqm) |
|---|---|---|
| Finishes | Quality, hard-wearing, commercial grade | High-grade, feature materials, considered detailing |
| Joinery | Practical, off the standard range | Bespoke, custom-built throughout |
| Ceilings and lighting | Clean, functional | Feature ceilings, architectural lighting |
| Services | Standard mechanical, electrical and data | Upgraded and integrated services |
| Selections | Considered, cost-aware | Designer selections, premium brands |
How Much Does a Fitout Cost by Office Size?
Applying the per-square-metre ranges to a few common floor areas gives you an indicative total to plan around.
| Office Size | Standard Fitout | Premium Fitout |
|---|---|---|
| Small (about 150 sqm) | $150,000 to $210,000 | From $210,000 |
| Mid-size (about 400 sqm) | $400,000 to $560,000 | From $560,000 |
| Large (about 800 sqm) | $800,000 to $1,120,000 | From $1,120,000 |
Indicative only. A short scoping conversation will sharpen these figures for your actual space.
What Drives the Cost of a Commercial Fitout Up or Down?
Two spaces of the same size can price very differently. The main drivers are:
- Base-build condition. A warm shell with existing services costs less than a bare or stripped floor that needs everything built from scratch.
- Scope of work. A cosmetic refresh sits at the lower end. A full reconfiguration with new partitions, glazing and services sits higher.
- Services. Mechanical, electrical, data and fire upgrades are a significant part of any budget, especially in older buildings.
- Joinery and selections. Bespoke joinery and premium selections lift the rate quickly.
- Amenities. Kitchens, breakout areas and end-of-trip facilities add cost and value.
- Compliance. Building code, accessibility and essential services requirements shape the scope.
- Site and access. A high-rise CBD tower with restricted hours works differently to a ground-floor suburban tenancy.
What’s Included in a Commercial Fitout Cost?
A typical commercial fitout figure covers:
- Design and documentation
- Partitions, glazing and doors
- Ceilings, flooring and painting
- Joinery and built-in cabinetry
- Electrical, data and lighting
- Mechanical services and air conditioning
- Kitchens, amenities and end-of-trip
- Project management and site supervision
Loose furniture and some selections may sit inside or outside the figure depending on how the project is scoped. It is worth confirming this early so you are comparing like for like.
Fitout Costs Across Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane
The indicative ranges on this page apply nationally as a planning guide. In practice, the biggest movers on price are the building and the scope rather than the city itself. Building grade, floor level, base-build condition and access all shape the final number more than location alone. Concept works across Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane, so we can give you a figure grounded in the specific building you are considering.
How Can You Keep Fitout Costs Predictable?
The biggest risk to a fitout budget is a price that moves after you have committed. Concept is built to remove that risk. We design and build in-house, so there is one accountable team from first concept to completion and no separate margins between a designer and a builder.
- 48-Hour Budget. A realistic budget early, so you can plan with confidence.
- Fixed Price Promise. One agreed price that does not blow out.
- Guaranteed Practical Completion. A committed handover date.
- Lifetime Workmanship Guarantee. We stand behind the work.
Commercial Fitout Cost FAQs
How much does a commercial fitout cost per square metre in Australia?
As an indicative guide for 2026, a standard fitout costs from $1,000 to $1,400 per square metre and a premium fitout from $1,400 per square metre. Your final figure depends on the base-build condition, scope and selections.
Is furniture included in a fitout cost?
Sometimes. Loose furniture and certain selections may be inside or outside the fitout figure depending on scope. Confirm this early so you are comparing quotes on the same basis.
How long does a commercial fitout take?
Timelines depend on size and scope. The design stage and any building approvals sit alongside the construction program. Concept gives you a committed completion date so you can plan your move with certainty.
Do I need a designer and a builder separately?
No. Concept delivers design and build under one roof, which keeps the price accountable and removes the separate margins you would pay across two firms.
Get a Real Number for Your Space
Indicative ranges are a starting point. For a figure grounded in your building and your scope, get in touch and we will prepare your 48-Hour Budget.
